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Volume 13, Issue 2

April 2016

Advertise with us! Put your ad in this newsletter and have a

greater reach. Details on the last page of this issue.

Update for AFVGA Conference

In the last newsletter, we published the dates for AFVGA’s November Confer-

ence and Tradeshow. And even though November seems a long time away, es-

pecially with Spring just arriving, the AFVGA Board of Directors have already

started preparations for the conference on November 17th and 18th at Clanton

Conference and Preforming Arts Center/Jeff State College.

Some of the latest conference news: 1) Participant registration fee has been re-

duced to $85 per person. This is a one- time waiver of membership dues. 2)

Bus Tours will be in the morning and afternoon on Thursday and will be $15 per

person. 3) Farmer panel sessions will take place for those not taking the tours.

4) Lunch will be provided on Thursday and Friday. 5) Exhibitors/vendors will

have time to speak or for demos. 6) New educational sessions.

Very soon you will receive either by mail or email (or both) a tentative confer-

ence agenda along with early registration forms. Be sure to read the tentative

agenda to see these changes and the new educational session topics.

Another point of interest; for the second time AFVGA has received a grant from

Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries. This grant is partially re-

sponsible for the reduction in participant fees.

Two additional industry advisors have joined the Board. They are Rusty Autry

with Monsanto Corp. and Lisa Beasley, Manager, Pepper Place Market, Bir-

mingham; both bring expertise and experience.

Congratulations to Charles Whatley who won the drawing at the last conference

from returned evaluations. Mr. Whatley receives free registration for Novem-

ber.

Please do not hesitate to contact me or any of the AFVGA Board members and

advisors if we can be of assistance to you.

Jackie Cooper

Jackiec7575@gmail.com or 334-728-4117

Page 2

2016 FALL AFVGA CONFERENCE & TRADESHOW NEW AGENDA!

The 2016 Fall AFVGA Conference and Tradeshow promises to offer more educational sessions, grower net-

working panel times, better on-farm tours, and vendor sessions. We hope everyone enjoyed the 2015 confer-

ence and will continue to come and make this one of the best tradeshows around.

The board has been working hard since January putting together this new and exciting agenda for the No-

vember conference. It features on-going educational sessions during the mornings and afternoons of the first

conference day, while tours will be going to local farms for on-site demonstrations. Grower networking pan-

els will be included during the day sessions for those who want more one on one question and answer ses-

sions. Day two of the conference will also have more educational sessions with new topics that will appeal to

many producers.

Please mark your calendars for November 17-18, 2016 in Clanton, AL for this wonderful conference. You

don’t want to miss this one!

Ann Chambliss

AFVGA Event Coordinator

SMALL FRUIT AND GRAPE GROWERS The Sustainable Spotted Wing Drosophila (SWD) Management for US Fruit Crops, funded by NIFA, needs

your help! This five-year project, coordinated through the Burrack Laboratory at NC State University, is de-

veloping national research and extension projects to minimize the impacts of SWD. They include new man-

agement tactics and programs, expanded pesticide registrations for SWD, and information and training on

SWD for growers, extension agents, and others. In order to achieve this and ensure that the research and exten-

sion efforts match the needs of growers, the project is collecting information on the impacts of SWD on small

fruit growers, current management practices and preferences, and your requirements for better management of

SWD. Participation is voluntary, and the survey does not collect personally identifying information, and the

data will only be analyzed and reported in aggregate form.

Please complete the survey here: https://survey.ncsu.edu/swd/

Thank you for your help!

Elina Coneva

Fruit Crops Extension Specialist, ACES

V OLU ME 1 3, ISS UE 2 Page 3

BLACK ROT DETECTED ON RUTABAGA SEEDLINGS I was shopping at my local garden center this weekend and came across what appeared to be symptoms of

black rot in a flat of heirloom rutabagas. I “borrowed” a few suspicious

leaves and checked for bacterial streaming in the laboratory. Based on mi-

croscope examination the seedlings were infected with the bacte-rium Xan-

thomonas campes-tris, one of the most important diseases affecting crucifers

in Alabama (and the World).

All crucifer crops are susceptible to black rot; radish and kale, however, are

less easily infected. Plants that are not in the crucifer family are not suscepti-

ble. Infected plants may die prematurely and plant quality will be reduced if

the disease progresses in the field. Soft rot may develop after black rot, further reducing quality and storage

life.

The disease is easily recognized on most crucifers by the presence of yellow, V-shaped or U-shaped areas ex-

tending inward from the margin of the leaf (Figures 1 and 2). As the disease progresses the yellow lesions

turn brown and the tissue dies. This vein discoloration progresses toward the base of the leaf as the bacteria

spread through the leaf veins into the stem.

The best control is to purchase disease-free transplants. Closely examine leaves and look for the tell-tale V-

shaped yellow lesions on the older leaves. If you have already purchased infected seedlings then removing

symptomatic leaves ASAP may limit spread of the pathogen in the field.

The bacterium spreads in the garden with the help of splashing rain or overhead irrigation. Free moisture in

the form of rain or dew is required for infection to occur. The disease develops best under warm, wet condi-

tions.

Edward Sikora

Extension Plant Pathologist

ALABAMA VEGETABLE IPM PROJECT RESOURCES AND MORE

The ACES Commercial Horticulture Team is constantly working to provide you updated information for

profitable farming. The Vegetable Integrated Pest Management Program is open to all new and experienced

producers and gardeners statewide. Below is a list of resources available to producers 24/7.

Vegetable IPM website (new with IPM training videos): www.aces.edu/vegetableipm

Social media channel: ALABAMA VEGETABLE IPM of Facebook

Alabama IPM Communicator Newsletter: An invaluable resource for producers to know the latest

about IPM and training events. Subscribe online at www.aces.edu/ipmcommunicator.

Make sure you sign-up for IPM workshops and field days in your county for hands-on learning experience.

For more information, email bugdoctor@auburn.edu.

Ayanava Majumdar

Ext. Entomologist

V OLU ME 1 3, ISS UE 2 Page 4

SEEDLESS WATERMELONS: WHY ARE SEED COSTLY &WHY DO THEY PRO-

DUCE SEEDS SOMETIMES

Triploid or "seedless" watermelons were first developed in Japan. Although the science of making seedless water-

melons dates back five decades, triploid watermelons were not commercialized until the past 15 to 20 years.

One difficulty is in in the triploid seeds themselves. The embryos are often poorly developed, usually filling only

about 80% of the seed cavity. These poorly developed embryos are locked in thick seed coats. This situation makes

the triploid seed more difficult to germinate and can decrease seedling vigor. Special conditions for germinating trip-

loid seed should always be employed including using higher temperatures and precise moisture control during germi-

nation. Direct seeding into the field often results in poor, weak stands. High temperatures combined with high rela-

tive humidity speeds the germination process.

The resulting seedlings should be transplanted during mild weather or protected from harsh environmental conditions.

A specific pollenizer or other diploid (seeded) variety must to be planted nearby to furnish pollen. The triploid flow-

ers produce little, if any, viable pollen. The stigmas (female portion of the triploid’s flowers) are receptive to pollen,

however, and only require viable pollen in order to initiate the process of fruit development. Seed companies recom-

mend specific pollenizers for each of their seedless watermelon varieties. Honey bees must be present to transfer the

pollen from the diploid flowers to the triploid flowers. Triploid plants should not be subjected to stressful conditions

such as lack of water, too much water, or temperature extremes.

Seedless watermelons are always hybrids. This fact makes seed more costly. While the seedless plants are sterile,

female flowers from these sterile plants can produce fruit if they

are pollinated by normal pollen from a seeded watermelon. Occa-

sionally a few hard seeds can develop for reasons explained below.

Normal watermelons are diploids having 22 chromosomes in their

somatic cells (2X=22). Somatic cells are cells that make up every-

thing in the plants with the exception of flowers and parts that de-

velop from those flowers. Using traditional breeding techniques

(that is, non-GMO), special watermelons can be made called tetra-

ploids, these tetraploids have 44 chromosomes (4X=44). When

a tetraploids is crossed with a diploid, the resulting hybrid have 33

chromosomes (3X=33) which are seedless. These are called tri-

pods.

Tetraploid watermelons lines are created in the greenhouse by treating the shoot apex of young diploid watermelon

seedlings (or the seed) with a chemical called colchicine. This chemical inhibits cells division and tetraploidy is in-

duced. The induced tetraploid watermelon plants are mostly fertile producing tetraploid progeny through their seed.

Breeders maintain these tetraploid lines in isolation plots just like they do normal, diploid watermelons.

As stated above, the triploid plants are essentially sterile, since it produces defective gametes (gametes are pollen or

egg cells.). A few fertile gametes are produced, however, but the number produced is less than 0.1%. Since a few

fertile gametes are produced, a few hard seeds can develop; whether they occur or not depends on growing conditions

as well as genetics. It is also not usual for the seedless watermelons to produce soft seed coats called “pips.” Pips are

soft and generally do not negatively affect the quality of the internal flesh. The development of these pips is depend-

ent on the variety and environmental conditions.

For further information on growing seedless watermelons, variety selection, and grafting watermelons, go to: http://

www.thepacker.com/sites/produce/files/SEVegGuide_2016.pdf

See the Watermelon section starting on page 102.

Joe Kemble

Extension Vegetable Specialist

V OLU ME 1 3, ISS UE 2 Page 5

DROSOPHILA DAMAGE OBSERVED IN SOUTH CAROLINA STRAWBERRIES Last week, South Carolina cooperative extension personnel issued a pest alert for drosophila damage in

strawberries. It is impossible to visually distinguish drosophila larvae between species, but if fruit appear

otherwise undamaged (meaning they have no holes, rotted areas, or disease damage) except for a soft spot

with larvae underneath, it is very likely that those larvae are spotted wing drosophila (SWD).

In recent years, SWD damage has not been common in spring fruit strawberries, although they have

been more common later in the season and in day neutral plantings. Our warm winter and spring weather

has likely shifted infestation risk to earlier this growing season. Given the greater likelihood of SWD dam-

age in spring fruiting berries, what should strawberry and early blueberry growers do to prepare?

When infestation risk is low (such as during recent spring strawberry seasons), growers should monitor for

adult flies and begin insecticide treatments when they are detected. However, risk this year, appears higher,

and I would encourage growers to consider taking preventative management action in addition to monitor-

ing for adult flies. Preventive management consists of: Weekly applications of registered pesticides, reap-

plied in the event of rain. Rotate between at least two modes of action to reduce the likelihood of resistance

development. See the Southern Region Small Fruit Integrated Pest Management Guides for recommend-

ed insecticides.

Even if fruit are being managed preventatively, growers should still sample fruit to determine if it is infest-

ed. Sample fruit at each harvest via salt water extraction or by cutting fruit open to observe larvae. Sample

at least 30 berries per field. See here for more larval sampling information.

If growers find damaged fruit, what should they do? I put together these suggestions a few years ago, in-

cluding:

1. Remove ripe fruit and ripening fruit starting to change color and destroy it (by freezing, “baking” in the

sun inside a clear plastic bag for a few days, or removing from the site). Eggs or larvae may be present in

otherwise sound appearing fruit. Leaving this fruit means that potentially infested fruit is present and could

be harvested.

2. Begin an aggressive spray program as described above.

3. Practice excellent sanitation. Thoroughly harvest all fruit and sell or destroy it. Destroy culled fruit. Un-

picked fruit is a reservoir for SWD larvae. Clean up after rain, and send a clean up crew after you-pickers.

4. Sample fruit each harvest as described above.

5. Consider trapping flies using yeast and sugar baits or commercially available lures. Traps tell you SWD

presence or absence and are not perfect, but they can be helpful if damage has not already occurred in fruit.

Place traps in strawberry rows, near fruit for the best chance of catching flies. Currently available traps are

not helpful in making management decisions once damage has already occurred.

Update, 28 March 2016 It is also important to note that many broad spectrum insecticides, such as those recommended for SWD,

can flare spider mites! See here for considerations when making these applications.

More information: SWD alert in South Carolina – Strawberry Growers Information Portal

Should growers trap for SWD, and how many traps should they use? – Strawberry Growers Information

Portal

Using yeast and sugar baits for SWD – Strawberry Growers Information Portal

Hannah Burrack

Ext. Specialist, NC State University

P.O. Box 2081

Auburn, AL 36831-2081

ALABAMA FRUIT &

VEGETABLE GR OWER S

ASSO CIATION

Phone: 334-728-4117

Fax: 334-844-3780

E-mail: jackiec7575@gmail.com

We are on the Web & Facebook and Twitter!

www.afvga.aces.edu

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